Should I get this JCM800?

[WhoFan]

Re: Should I get this JCM800?

I'm not saying the JCM 800 on the EBAY auction isn't a good one but i thought i'd show the rarer 2004's and the like that i've been told to grab as they have less circuit board in them and still have a lot of wire.. I'd still buy the 800 head in the auction for sure if i was looking for na 800 but these toggle switch 80''s i herad are a bit better..

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: Should I get this JCM800?

I had NEVER seen a stock toggle switch JCM 800 until today. I told WhoFan, I'd pay him a buck to see pics. I think I owe you a dollar buddy!

I still can barely believe that's stock, though.

Do the guts of the amp look like this:

That's my 81 Park.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Should I get this JCM800?

Yes. Vertical input early 80's 50 watt JCM 800...my favorite! Lew

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Should I get this JCM800?

No JCM800 will have the metal toggles, those were phased out prior to the rocker switched in 1976. The JCM 800 debuted in 1981.

The amp in the auction is one of the "good" ones.

Exactly. :beerchug:

 

[shred-dog]

Re: Should I get this JCM800?

the 80's jcm 800's shipped to canada have metal toggle switches and not the classic plastic ones . hope that helps .


PS golden boy love your park i have your amps twin it's a 1980 ! and it was finished on my birth day !!!!!!!

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Should I get this JCM800?

the 80's jcm 800's shipped to canada have metal toggle switches and not the classic plastic ones . hope that helps .

I was just getting ready to post this. It's possible that even some of the original UK versions had the metal togle switches....but the ones from Canada definately did. Not sure there is much difference in the circuit other than that.

If you are not going to play at higher volumes, I would suggest a 2205 head. 2 seperate channels, so you can get clean at decent volumes and dirty at decent volumes on a seperate channel. Also, the 2205 and 2210 (100w version) have a 4th pre-amp tube already added into the tone stack from the factory. They also use some diode clipping, but I really dig the sound.

Also, for future reference, according to Jeff Seal whom I trust implicitly....the 2205/2210 circuit is the most moddable 800 out there, due to the circuitry but mainly due to the extra pre-amp tube and the way it's incorporated. What is the most common mod to a 2204? Adding an additional pre-amp tube for gain. You can mod and mod a 2205/2210, and still return it to stock very easily if you ever desired to. Jeff took my 2205 circuit board completey out of the chassis (intact) and put in place a PTP wiring scheme. If I ever decide to sell, all I need to do is have someone slap back in the original circuit board and presto.....stock amp.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Should I get this JCM800?

Never seen one either...My Marshall book by doyle is at work...I'll see if it mentions anything tomorrow about the canadian ones...pretty cool!

As for the original posters speaker question. Everyone has their faves. I like Celestion Greenback 25s best. It gives the classic Marshall punch and breaks up pretty early without being overly harsh in the high end/high mids like a V30 (which is very popular these days) and it still remains pretty tight. I like the GB20s as well. Just make sure if ya make a 1x12 you get a speaker that can handle the wattage.

Lew has a thread in the vault that is a great, and Avatar has some basic but good info on their site www.avatarspeakers.com

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: Should I get this JCM800?

the 80's jcm 800's shipped to canada have metal toggle switches and not the classic plastic ones . hope that helps .

I was just getting ready to post this. It's possible that even some of the original UK versions had the metal togle switches....but the ones from Canada definately did. Not sure there is much difference in the circuit other than that.

I had never heard of this, never seen it, and never read about it.

You totally learn something new every day.

shred-dog, if I posted a Park thread, how many people would post? :burnout:

 

[casblah]

Re: Should I get this JCM800?

Buy that amp! I've got an '81 2204, and it sounds pretty good, IMO. The vertical inputs are more sought after, in those models. You can still get a decent sound out of it at a moderate level; though it sounds best cranked, as previously mentioned. :32:

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Should I get this JCM800?

I have not seen the inside of my Canadian 800 yet... I guess they were imported to Canada only but i have seen plastic switched 80's 800's around Canada too.. I have not been inside my amp yet, but i am wanting to have a look..... I was told that all the pots and jacks are not on the circuit board and are wired on these toggle switch versions.... My 800 came with a bad gain mod with the extra tube.... i will be taking it out. it is too noisey as i guess the guy that did the mod didn't know what he was doing. It sounds like i have tube screamer on in front of the amp at all times.. I see these toggle switch 800's for sale around Toronto all the time but the prices are getting high!!!!!

WhoFan

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Should I get this JCM800?

I had NEVER seen a stock toggle switch JCM 800 until today. I told WhoFan, I'd pay him a buck to see pics. I think I owe you a dollar buddy!

I still can barely believe that's stock, though.

Do the guts of the amp look like this:

That's my 81 Park.

I assume my 800 looks like this park as the tech i was talking to told me my 800 had a circuit board down the center and just like this one the pots,switches and jacks are wired....

WhoFan

 

[DesertRose]

Re: Should I get this JCM800?

the wirings looks cool man.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Should I get this JCM800?

I was going to take my 800 head in for repairs next week but i just had to spend $1500 on a new bed.... the springs came thru my bed last night! that sucks.... I was hoping to spend some time and money on my holidays next week on my Marshall...... I may take it apart and take a few pictures of the guts....

WhoFan

 

[ErikH]

Re: Should I get this JCM800?

shred-dog, if I posted a Park thread, how many people would post? :burnout:

I know you'd have JeffB and I going :baby:

:lmao:

 

[JeffB]

Re: Should I get this JCM800?

Parks Rock. Jake E. Lee CAN'T be wrong